Dynamit Nobel Defence has recently received an order from the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) for the production and delivery of 3.500 Panzerfaust 3-IT DM72A1. The Panzerfaust 3-IT (Pfz 3-IT) is the latest member in the Panzerfaust 3 family of Dynamit Nobel Defence. With PzF 3-IT main battle tanks with state-of-the-art reactive armor can be effectively engaged from all aspects. The warhead with tandem shaped charge is designed in such a way that all kinds of add-on armour can be defeated. The warhead of Pzf 3-IT can be used in two operational modes and therefore is also highly effective against secondary targets e.g. to be found in built-up areas. The Pzf 3-IT can be fired from field positions as well as confined spaces. Of course, modern sighting devices, such as night vision optics can be attached to the Pzf 3-IT.
The Panzerfaust 3 (lit. armor fist” or “tank fist”) is a modern semi-disposable recoilless anti-tank weapon, which was developed between 1978 and 1985 and first entered service with the Bundeswehr in 1987. It was first ordered in 1973 to provide West German infantry with an effective weapon against contemporary Soviet armor, thereby replacing West Germany’s aging PzF 44 Light Lanze launchers and the heavy Carl Gustaf 84 mm anti-tank recoilless rifle manufactured in Sweden. The iconic Panzerfaust 3 is a shoulder-launched, low-recoil anti-tank and multi-purpose weapon with maximum penetrating power against heavy battle tanks and also suitable for engaging lightly armored targets and fortified positions. On the market for more than 30 years, it has undergone continuous development over time. The Panzerfaust 3 is operated by at least 11 countries and has seen combat in Afghanistan and Ukraine.
The Panzerfaust 3 series of launchers is a compact, lightweight, shoulder-fired, unguided antitank weapon series. It consists of a disposable canister with a 110-mm warhead and reusable firing and sighting device. The DM12 and DM12A1 projectile consists of a shaped-charge warhead and is filled with Octol 7030. The tandem DM22 warheads are made of PBX octogene (ca. 95% ?-HMX) including the propulsion unit. The penetration performance of the Panzerfaust 3 is due to the shaped charge principle and the quick response of the percussion fuse; the effect on the target does not depend on the impact velocity. The Panzerfaust 3 is light enough to be carried and fired by one person. However, earlier variants were described as being excessively cumbersome and uncomfortable. Furthermore, the firing mechanism was prone to jamming. It can be fired from enclosed spaces since it does not have a significant backblast.
